On a Tuesday not too long ago, Bridge and Barrel were lucky enough to be invited by Baume & Mercier and Watches of Switzerland to the MCG for the Australian/Melbourne release of the Clifton Club collection (look at me now mum!).
For our international readers, the MCG stands for the Melbourne Cricket Ground and is home to some of Australia’s biggest and greatest sporting events. A fitting place for Baume & Mercier’s most recent foray into the world of sports watches.
Both the Clifton Club divers and chronographs were on show at the event.
The diver is a 42mm (wide) and 10mm (height, which wears very comfortably under a cuff), Sellita powered (SW200), 100M sporting/diving watch. Some may sniff at 100M of water resistance, but it is deep enough, and more, for recreational diving and general “gentlesportsmen-ness” (check out their website for a better idea of what “gentlesportsmen-ness” is).
You aren’t short for choices with the diver, which released 5 different variants:
- Black dial/bezel on bracelet;
- Blue dial/bezel on bracelet;
- White dial, black bezel on strap;
- Black dial, steel bezel on strap; and
- Black dial, black bezel and ADLC case on strap.
Each variant has orange accents and a date at 3, which is colour matched to the dial. The diver can be picked up for approx. AUD $2850 on the bracelet, and saving $100 for the strapped models.
Not to be outdone are the limited edition automatic chronographs shown, which come in at a modern 44mm (wide) and 15mm (height). Three models, each inspired by the Shelby Cobra, were presented (two stainless steel and one titanium (the model divided by its vertical axis into blue and white)). The titanium also comes equipped with a flyback chronograph, which certainly distinguishes it from the other two in the chronograph collection.
The inspiration from the Shelby Cobra is represented in some creative ways, from the “pedal-shaped” chronograph pushers, to the rim designed rotor. Each variant comes on a calfskin strap with red accents and a rubber backing.
Big thanks to both Baume & Mercier and for Watches of Switzerland for the lovely event.
